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Identifying the LA Clippers’ top targets ahead of free agency

By Garrett Chorpenning

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Golden State Warriors Forward Kevin Durant (35) talks with talks with Executive board member of the LA Clippers Jerry West before game three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers on April 18, 2019 at Staples Center in Las Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Golden State Warriors Forward Kevin Durant (35) talks with talks with Executive board member of the LA Clippers Jerry West before game three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers on April 18, 2019 at Staples Center in Las Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2: Kevin Durant

2018-2019 statistics: 26.0 PTS, 6.4 REB, 5.9 AST

If we were writing this article a year ago, Kevin Durant easily would have been our top choice for the LA Clippers to pursue this summer. But knowing what we know now, he’s gone from number one to distant second.

None of that has anything to do with Durant’s game — he’s still one of the most dangerous players in all of basketball and scores with more ease than anyone else can. But with a nasty injury to recover from and some guy up North playing out of his mind, Durant might not be LA’s top priority.

That won’t stop the Clippers from pursuing Durant, as there’s no reason to give up on him right now — especially if he’s truly interested in teaming up with Kawhi Leonard.

That information first broke Saturday from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, but pairing Durant with Leonard is something the Clippers have reportedly been planning to do as far back as October 2018.

The two together would be as powerful as the Los Angeles Lakers’ new frontcourt duo — comprised of LeBron James and Anthony Davis — and they could also help reignite the Los Angeles rivalry and have the rest of the league run through the city.

The only major concern about signing Durant is his injury history. He’s expected to miss the entire 2019-2020 NBA season, in addition to the postseason as he recovers from an achilles injury he suffered in the NBA Finals. So while Durant could be locked up for four years with the Clippers, only the latter three would be years in which he could play — and even then, he may not be the same player he once was.

Signing Durant may be the biggest risk of the bunch, but if he recovers properly and comes back as one of the league’s most dominant players, the Clippers’ reward could be substantial.

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